The Blues: Godfathers and Sons
| Godfathers and Sons | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Marc Levin |
| Produced by | Daphne Pinkerson Marc Levin |
| Starring | Marshall Chess Chuck D |
| Cinematography | Mark Benjamin |
| Edited by | Bob Eisenhardt |
Release date | October 2, 2003 |
Running time | 133 minutes |
Godfathers and Sons is a documentary directed by Marc Levin. The film is part of The Blues, a seven part PBS series, with Martin Scorsese as executive producer.[1]
Synopsis
Godfathers and Sons follows Producer Marshall Chess as he remembers his father Leonard Chess' contribution to Chicago blues history as the co-founder of Chess Records, and his own production of the controversial album Electric Mud.[2] Chess organizes a reunion of the musicians that made Electric Mud to record new versions of Muddy Waters's blues standard "Mannish Boy," with contributions by hip hop artists, including Chuck D of Public Enemy, Common & Kyle Jason.[3][4] The film includes never-before-seen archival footage of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and original performances by Koko Taylor, Otis Rush, Magic Slim, Ike Turner, and Sam Lay.
Critical reception
Variety (September 2, 2003): "Bonus is Levin’s technique — he adds a cinema verite take on the city’s contempo club scene to his blues ‘n’ rap story and adds a few B&W clips from the 1960s that make the blues appear regal, vital and thriving. For story and filmmaking technique alone, “Godfathers & Sons” is the crown jewel in the Scorsese series."[2]
References
- ^ Goldberg, Michael Alan (September 25, 2003). "Blues All Around Me". Miami New Times.
- ^ a b Gallo, Phil (September 3, 2003). "Godfathers & Sons". Variety.
- ^ Harrington, Richard (August 29, 2003). "Blues on Television From ..." Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286.
- ^ "The Blues A Musical Journey: Godfathers and Sons". Time Out New York. Retrieved 2019-12-10.